REFORMATIVE DETENTION FOR THEFT

Chronicle (Levin), 24 July 1946, Page 8

REFORMATIVE DETENTION FOR THEFT

"It seems to me from the Probation Offiter's report tliat the 'prispner has been going down hill steadily, anu uriless He is checked he will get. into siieh a eondition of weakhess that he will be likely to eommit similar crimes in the future, ' ' said Mr. Justiee Johii ston in the Supreme Oourt at Palmerston North yesterday morning wlieu imposing a senterice of 12 months' reformative detention on William Henrv Robbius', salesman, aged 33 years, nuft-ried, of Levin, for the theft of £90 from Alfred Dennis Prodger. Eor the aceused, Mr. G. Crossiey made a strong plea for lenjeuey on the grounds that Robbins had sutfered an attaelc of infantile paralvsis in his youth and now had a withered right leg. Despite this physical handieap, aceused had served two and a-hdlf years in the armed forees within New Zealand. He had lnarrited in November, 1943, and had one step-ehild. Reeently misfoi'tuiie and ill-health had dogged ac clised's footsteps. He had got into -the hands of hioneylenders, and serious ily health of his wife. had faced him witli large medical fe'es. Although his previous history was not spotless, it was the lirst time Robbins had been involved in an offence of dishonesty. Tlie Probation OfHcer did not reconmioml probation, and counse'l was at a loss ( understand this. Aceused was prepared to make restitution at the rate of £2 a week. Tlve otTence was a stupid one, and arose out of the desperate straits in whieh he had found himse'f. "I wouhl like to accede to the plea for probation, but this was a case or deliberate theft," eommented his Honour. "Prisoner sold another man's car for £90 and used the, monev for himself, well knowing sueh action to be dishonest. If this were a lirst olfence, or it seemed to me that detention woul-.l do more harm than good; if prisoner had been in needy eireumstanees, or had aeted oii impulse, probation could probably have been given. " Aftcr niaking referenee to aceused 's dpparent down-hill tendency, his Honour said it was unfortunate that the hardship of incareeration must fall upon the family. ITowever, if aceused was going to be of any use to his family, and not a linbility on the State, the' view he must take, said his Honour. was that Robbins needed ehecking now and not later. "I will not impose hard labour. said his Honour. "I will give you n term of reformative detention. Tf there is anytliing wrong with your health, you will be examined and treat ed by the authorities, and it is my hope that you will come out improved in health both pliysically and morailv so that you can take up life again on a higher plane. "